As part of our effort to promote and encourage sportsmanship in the community, the Carl Fricks Sportsmanship Scholarship is presented annually to graduating high school seniors from the St. Louis metro area who embody outstanding sportsmanship. The scholarship recognizes individuals who exemplify honesty, integrity, civility, selflessness, kindness, compassion and class in athletic competition. Candidates are evaluated strictly on their approach, character and respect for others on the playing field. Athletic performance (wins and other stats) does not factor in the selection – making this scholarship truly unique.
Launched in 2009 by the St. Louis Sports Commission Associates – the Sports Commission’s young professionals group – the group raises funds for the program and selects its own recipients. Over the past twelve years, $182,500 in academic scholarships have been awarded to 55 college-bound students.
Help us celebrate sportsmanship by nominating a deserving student who has demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and character in athletic competition.
Click on the button below to download the 2023 scholarship application packet. Scholarship applications must be received by April 10, 2023.
You can also view the bios of past recipients to see the type of attributes and actions the scholarship committee seeks to recognize. For questions, please contact Solomon Alexander at 314-345-5130 or salexander@stlsports.org.
Download Application View Previous RecipientsThe St. Louis University High School tennis captain views sportsmanship as a privilege. Making his mark in a sport that often requires athletes to serve as player and referee, Gus often goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure a fair playing environment, even when the calls do not go his way. The two-time St. Louis Sportsmanship Award winner for the Missouri Valley USTA was described by his coach as “honest to a fault.” If a ball is 99 percent out, Gus calls it in because playing the game is more important than any result. Gus once passed on an opportunity to abandon an injured doubles partner to play in a tournament that could have earned him a scholarship. Ollie Tettamble, Gus’ brother, said of his younger sibling, “It’s not often that someone looks up to their younger brother, but I proudly do. I admire him for his honesty, integrity, and civility.” In a sport dominated by individuality, Gus chooses to be a team player.
Anyi Sun has built a reputation of competing with rather than competing against her opponents. The John Burroughs hockey captain congratulates opponents when they make good plays, helps them up when they fall, and does not argue with officials regardless of the call. Anyi maintains this level of sportsmanship while establishing her own place as one of the few women playing on the John Burroughs ice hockey team. The school’s coaching staff use grace, chivalry and gratitude to describe the character of Anyi. She is aware of her unique situation in her sport and her responsibility to others. Anyi sees herself as a loyal teammate, a humble opponent and a respectful representative of her team and school.
Taylor Brown exhibits class and maturity beyond her years. The Lift For Life Academy basketball co-captain plays tough and finds ways to navigate through tough situations. During one game, Taylor stole the ball from an opponent. Frustrated, the young lady pushed Taylor into a nearby wall, where she hit headfirst. The stunned silence of the crowd signaled things could get ugly, but it was Taylor who kept her composure and after the game, talked things over with the opponent. The two ultimately shared a laugh and a hug. Taylor turned a negative situation into a positive one and provided a great lesson in sportsmanship for all involved.
Matthew Clark is being recognized for his integrity, selflessness, and commitment to sportsmanship. The Collinsville basketball co-captain has earned the respect of teammates and opponents alike for how he treats others. Matthew took it upon himself to mentor a teammate prone to emotional outbursts. He was the first to get in the handshake line after a tough loss to a rival school. An opposing coach said, “Matthew is the perfect example of true character in sports.” He embodies the highest ideals and principles of sportsmanship and proves service to others is the most authentic mark of greatness.
The Rockwood Summit softball standout understands sportsmanship is more important than the scoreboard. Chloe Rhine knows her role as an athlete and respects the difficult job of officials. She expressed her admiration for them and empathy for the harsh criticism they often take. She dissuades teammates from gloating when they make good plays or jeering opponents when they make poor ones. Chloe was the first girl to make Rockwood Summit’s JV baseball team before Covid ended her first season. Even this setback did not deter her from serving as an example of good sportsmanship and character. Parents of her teammates and opponents lauded Chloe for being a great player who simultaneously shows others how to behave on and off the field.
Ryan Ulm is a team-first player. The Fort Zumwalt West catcher takes pride in doing the little things that make a team successful. Ryan also takes care to have positive interactions with officials. He politely introduces himself and shakes hands with them before every baseball game. During one game, both Ryan and the home plate umpire were injured by the same foul ball. He immediately went to the umpire’s aid rather than show concern for his own. Ryan’s coach said, “The umpire was beginning to fall over and Ryan hugged him to hold him up and was comforting him as the umpire needed a minute to catch his breath.” Ryan is mature, selfless, and exemplifies what it means to be a good sport.
Tyron Woodley shows outstanding humility and selflessness in the face of adversity. The DeSmet football captain rallied his teammates after a crushing loss in the state championship game and encouraged them to congratulate their victorious opponent. This came in response to the jeering and negative comments directed toward them by opposing players and fans. As a member of the wrestling team, Tyron lost a close and controversial match that negatively affected his chances to compete in the state tournament. His coach said, “Even though Tyron was disappointed, he held his head up high, and represented himself with class and sportsmanship as he shook the hands of his opponent and his coaches.”